The Tamarack: Roots in Two Worlds / Ashbridge’s Bay, November 8, 2018

I remember learning in Grade 5 that trees which shed their leaves in autumn are called “deciduous” and those which keep their leaves (or needles) all winter are called “evergreen” or “coniferous”.

The Tamarack (known as “Larch” in Europe and Japan) breaks this rule. The needles turn a brilliant yellow in autumn and fall off just as deciduous tree leaves do.

European x Japanese Larch

European x Japanese Larch cones

There are a few Tamarack trees at Ashbridge’s Bay but most are Larch trees. I’m told that these Larches are a hybrid of Japanese Larch (for resistance to urban pollution) and European Larch (for strength and size). You can tell Tamarack from Larch by the size of the cones.

European x Japanese Larch cone (larger) and Tamarack cone (smaller)

Scientists tell us that cone-bearing trees (coniferous) were present on earth about 150 million years before the origin of deciduous trees.

Here are some photos of Ashbridge’s Bay as it looked this morning in 5 degree temperatures and some light rain.

Bird Highlight: Merlin

Merlin

I see Merlins infrequently and this one was very close for quite some time. They were called Pigeon Hawks when I was a child.

Merlins eat mostly birds. Common prey include House Sparrow, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, and other shorebirds.

Miles Hearn, Naturalist

I am a Toronto-based naturalist with many years of experience in Canada, the United States, and Antarctica. On this site I share reports of the nature walks I lead with various groups in and around Toronto. Read more about me here.